Talked with my Doctor today after he reviewed the films from over the weekend. All screws and rods are exactly where they are supposed to be. The spacers between the discs have not moved. I do have some inflammation from what is being termed some soft tissue damage. This will pass by taking the anti-inflammatory meds and continuing my PT.
Good thing that I'm not a Doctor cause I put out some misinformation. I am not completely fused at L5/S1 yet. Am I showing definite signs that I am fusing? Yes. The term thrown out there was that the bone between the discs is knotting (definition: a bond of union). Never heard that one before. I asked when I would be completely fused and he said I was on track to be done prior to my one year anniversary. I was told that its not possible to fuse this quickly and I need to continue to be patient.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Post-op, 21 weeks
The nerve pain is definately subsiding, so the Lyrica is working. My Physical Therapist recommended I shoot a small bucket of balls, 9 iron and wedge clubs only this weekend if the weather holds up. Lucky for me, the weather was agreeable and I now grow hungry for when my doctor says I can do nothing more for you. It was a lot fun getting out there and acting like a normal person again.
Now on to some bad news. On the way back from the golf course a Chevy Suburban decided to see what it would be like if he could drive through my car. It didn't work. My poor car is in a bad state of repair now and I ended up having to make a trip to the ER cause the pain in my legs and back were in overdrive. After some Xrays were taken, I was assured that I did not break any screws. I did however manage to sprain my back. Trauma to your back over titanium rods results in a fair amount of internal bruising. I suspect I will be very sore from this encounter for the near future but am glad that the hardware stayed in place and nothing broke.
Now the GOOD NEWS. The Xrays from the ER show that L5/S1 is completely fused. You can't even see the spacer anymore. L4/L5 appears to be on its way but is moving at a slower pace. I think the ER staff were happier than I was when they saw that I was fused at 1 level. You'd think they never saw a fusion in process. The Doctor offered to give me a script for my usual meds (Percoset......) but I told him no can do. He asked why, and I explained that I have a contract with my PM Doc and that would be a against the contract. He said I was the first person who has ever done that to him and thanked me. He told me that he has encountered loads of people with back problems who come into the ER, with pain contracts from some other doc, looking for more meds. He said it was refreshing to see someone take the contract so seriously.
Now on to some bad news. On the way back from the golf course a Chevy Suburban decided to see what it would be like if he could drive through my car. It didn't work. My poor car is in a bad state of repair now and I ended up having to make a trip to the ER cause the pain in my legs and back were in overdrive. After some Xrays were taken, I was assured that I did not break any screws. I did however manage to sprain my back. Trauma to your back over titanium rods results in a fair amount of internal bruising. I suspect I will be very sore from this encounter for the near future but am glad that the hardware stayed in place and nothing broke.
Now the GOOD NEWS. The Xrays from the ER show that L5/S1 is completely fused. You can't even see the spacer anymore. L4/L5 appears to be on its way but is moving at a slower pace. I think the ER staff were happier than I was when they saw that I was fused at 1 level. You'd think they never saw a fusion in process. The Doctor offered to give me a script for my usual meds (Percoset......) but I told him no can do. He asked why, and I explained that I have a contract with my PM Doc and that would be a against the contract. He said I was the first person who has ever done that to him and thanked me. He told me that he has encountered loads of people with back problems who come into the ER, with pain contracts from some other doc, looking for more meds. He said it was refreshing to see someone take the contract so seriously.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Post-op, 20 weeks
This past week has shown some improvement with the nerve pain I have been feeling. The Lyrica is definately helping with the burning in my feet and the pain in my knees and ankles has subsided some. The Lyrica is a screwy drug from my point of view. If I am inactive after taking it, I fall asleep within an hour for about an hour after taking it. I'm glad my PM Doctor is starting me on a light dosage to see if I can get some relief. With that being said, I am decreasing the Percoset again. My Therapist believes that I need to keep up my efforts with PT to keep the nerves moving so the scar tissue doesn't cause any permanent damage. All in all, it appears I'm moving forward again which is good news for me.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Post-op, 18 and 19 weeks
Well, the pain in my knees and ankles has pretty much leveled off to a very uncomfortable state. I've had to return to full doses of percoset to keep it in check. I saw my PM Doctor today and he basically informed me that there is good news and bad news.
Good News - the burning on the top of my feet is an indication that those nerves are finally healing. He said I probably have a couple more months of the burning before it settles down all together. Unfortunately, nerves do not heal quickly and this is just a new stage in the healing process.
Bad News - the knee and ankle pain is also nerve pain. Because these symptoms are new, he thinks it may be some scar tissue forming in my back causing the problem. I'm gonna have to wait it out and see what my body does for the time being. He told me that I'll probably have to do an MRI and an EMG in February once everything has a chance to run its course and settle down. In the mean time he prescribed Lyrica for the nerve pain.
My back has been doing great lately. I get a little sore if I sit to long and after a long day. When they say recovery for this surgery is 6 months to a year, they aren't joking.
Good News - the burning on the top of my feet is an indication that those nerves are finally healing. He said I probably have a couple more months of the burning before it settles down all together. Unfortunately, nerves do not heal quickly and this is just a new stage in the healing process.
Bad News - the knee and ankle pain is also nerve pain. Because these symptoms are new, he thinks it may be some scar tissue forming in my back causing the problem. I'm gonna have to wait it out and see what my body does for the time being. He told me that I'll probably have to do an MRI and an EMG in February once everything has a chance to run its course and settle down. In the mean time he prescribed Lyrica for the nerve pain.
My back has been doing great lately. I get a little sore if I sit to long and after a long day. When they say recovery for this surgery is 6 months to a year, they aren't joking.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Post-op, 17 weeks
Everything has been going pretty good this week except for the last couple of days. I've been experiencing an increased amount of burning/ache/pain in my ankle and knee joints the past couple of days. I was kind of chalking it up to the crazy weather being warm then cold.... This evening the symptoms are a little different and I have noticed that both my ankles and my knees are slightly swollen. Not a lot of swelling but the stupid pain is spiking at a very high level right now and the percs aren't helping. The funny part of this is that my back seems to be holding its own. Its a little more sore than usual but thats about it.
My routine hasn't changed, so I really don't understand why this is happening. I'll be contacting the Doctor tomorrow to find out what this new development means.
My routine hasn't changed, so I really don't understand why this is happening. I'll be contacting the Doctor tomorrow to find out what this new development means.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Post-op, 16 weeks
Anti-inflammatory meds have been making thinks much better lately. Knees and ankles don't hurt as much in the evening. Feeling came back in my right foot briefly on Saturday while I was driving. That really hurt. Every nerve in my big toe fired at one time. Numbness is back but the fact that it came back briefly gives me hope that it will eventually come back all the way. Went to the dentist today and survived sitting in the dreaded chair while I got a temporary crown. Now my face feels like my left foot.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Post-op, 15 weeks (3 1/2 months)
Had my follow-up appointment with my Doctor today. All the screws are in the same place, the implants between the vertebrae have not moved, and I'm showing signs that fusion between the vertebrae is taking place. Merry Christmas to me !!!!!
All physical restrictions have been lifted. I got a script for anti-inflammatory meds today, so goodbye inflammation. I've also been given permission to start working on my short game, I'm sure it needs a lot of work. I'm on schedule for my first pain free round of golf in the spring.
All physical restrictions have been lifted. I got a script for anti-inflammatory meds today, so goodbye inflammation. I've also been given permission to start working on my short game, I'm sure it needs a lot of work. I'm on schedule for my first pain free round of golf in the spring.
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